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Decorating ADHD
Before we start, let me preface by saying I know more than I care to know about ADHD and all of it’s fun side kicks…..But, if you can’t make fun of something that can be a challenge, and see the gift in it, then whatever it is you might deal with on a daily basis, is just that much harder. With that said…..I have a new, undiagnosed disorder. “DADHD”, or Decorating Attention Hyperactivity Disorder.
How do I know I have this disorder? Because I am an expert project starter, finishing is like pulling my teeth out. I can finish all kinds of projects for clients, on time, with a smile, and meet deadlines and goals I have set for myself for things I will sell, but my own home? It is torture. Â
Exhibit A
This isn’t exactly my office, but it may as well be. I have a billion ideas running around and playing tag in my head at any given time. Sometimes one of them is “it” and it gets to come out and play and actually comes to fruition. This is a very satisfying feeling. Usually though, I just keep adding to the “idea” board….
I do love my home, it is decorated in my taste, and I have done a TON of the work here, but let’s just say, there are at least three things not completed in each room. If you came over, you could play “Where’s Waldo” with “what’s not done” in each room.Â
My usual M.O. is work myself into a frenzy, forget to eat, work some more, run around with kids, work some more, then fall into bed late only to get up, lather, rinse, repeat the whole cycle. This was working great for me until something happened. MY WHOLE SYSTEM BROKE DOWN. Like this:
I had worked for several weeks at an insane pace, ending with trying to completely repaint and redecorate my daughter’s room, before I hopped an airplane to have a vacation with my sisters. I almost did it all! Vacation was wonderful, relaxed, had fun. Then when I headed back home, the problem started. Â
INSOMNIA
 
 This is about how I looked on day 5
Suddenly, without warning, I could not sleep, for 5 straight days. Let me tell you, it was a form of torture. I was so tired by day 5, I actually couldn’t even drive, let alone pick up a paint brush.
After some nice medication from Mr. Sleepy Help Doctor, I was able to start getting myself back on track. During the week of torture, I did A LOT of praying and a lot of self examination. I realized that just because you can keep up an insane schedule for months on end, does not mean you should. I had pushed, and pushed and pushed myself so far that it finally broke down in the only way it knew how to get my attention.Â
I realized starting and stopping and not finishing projects, all the time, is not only annoying to my family, but not good for myself. I spent so much of my time being “reactionary”, even with my fine tuned highly calendared Blackberry, I still felt like I was always 10 steps behind my life.
Here is a picture of my security blanket:
I am not cured of DADHD, nor do I think I ever will be, but the trick will be managing it and finding out what the gift of this is. I have definitely cut my to-do list in half. I have promised myself I absolutely will not start a project in a new room until what I wanted finished in my current room/project is done. So far so good (but it has only been 2 weeks). Â
I am actually taking a lunch break! I take time before my kids get home from school to eat, read, or just have a still moment. Who knew how refreshing this could be! Â
The gift? The creative part of my brain is still firing like crazy, but I am not giving full attention to every thought that goes through it. I have actually had more clarity on current projects, how I want them to develop, what the end result will be. I am forgiving myself for not getting everything completed on my daily to do list. I also have noticed a calmer feeling in our home. My kids are still sassy, they still fight, but over all, there is a much more peaceful feeling here. Â
Suffering husband might even change his screen name to Happy Husband! Â
So what am I thankful for today? Having DADHD. Just like everything we struggle with, there is a gift that comes with it. Sometimes it just takes a week of no sleep to find it! Â
Link up with these gals, they have a linky party where you can say whatever is on your mind, and they comment back. Such a cool idea and a great way to make some new friends. Â
Here we go:Â
Are you Viv's friend? I bet you are. If you're not, you should be. She may have had your disorder before. Guess what? I don't have a single crafty bone in my body! I'm not lying. So all you crafty people do nothing for my self esteem. On the flip side–it means I don't have that disorder! 😉
Thanks for giving us a shout-out! You're awesome!!!
Oh sister, I resemble everything in this post! I've been severely ADHD all my life but didn't realize everyone wasn't like this. I just kept coming up with ways to not be so scattered and functioned very well all thru school and work.
It wasn't until I got married, moved into a 100 year old house, had a couple kids, landscaped more than I can maintain and started my own business that I realize I'm losing the battle.
Throw in a couple months of pneumonia, a Christmas open house in two days and my bank featuring my furniture in their lobby the month of December, pouring down rain and I could just crawl back into bed today.
ahhhhhhh! I need a double shot of espresso!
You certainly redefine burning the candle at both ends! Your body is definitely telling you enough is enough and as hard as it is it is so very important to take a little time each day for just you!
I suffer from mild insomnia so I understand how miserable you were. When I run myself down everyone suffers not just me and I get a nasty eye twitch, so not pretty!
Thanks for linking up and welcome to TTUT!
Very well said my friend! So glad the Oprah moment is working, I am forcing myself to have one too! Thanks for your friendship in this world of blogging!
Karen, you are definitely not alone in your DADHD…I'm right there with you (but minus the kids because mine are grown, which does make these a bit easier for me and I NEVER forget to eat! ha!)…I'm so proud of you that you could just STOP, breathe, pray, re-group. That is not an easy thing to do! Hang in there blogger friend and consider yourself hugged!
Great post and advice for us all. DIY and decorating are time consuming, especially when you add in blogging and taking time to breathe and relax is important! 🙂
Oh my word! I think I have this :/